Optical microscopy as a new approach for characterising dust particulates in urban environment.

In urban environments airborne particulates (dust) must be managed to ensure that industry and community coexist in a mutually beneficial and sustainable manner. The composition of the dust is a function of the local environment and industry. In general, there is a view by many community members that a significant proportion of inhalable (PM) and respirable (PM) dust in these environments could be coal.

School league tables: a new population based predictor of dental restorative treatment need.

Aim: To test whether dental restorative treatment need was related to the school league tables and level of social deprivation of the school ward.

Design: An ecological study using clinical data aggregated at school level, collected in the school dental screening examinations (1996-97), National Census (1991) and the results of the UK school league tables--Key Stage 2 SATs (1996-97).

Setting: State primary schools in the Greenwich District of SE London, UK (1996-97).